Canadian War Museum 1812 experience expands to include new online and travelling exhibitions

December 10, 2012

Ottawa, Ontario, December 10, 2012—The Canadian War Museum will soon reach more people than ever with its popular exhibition 1812. The four perspectives in the current exhibition in Ottawa will soon be available via a virtual exhibition that launches today and a 140 square metre version that will travel to venues across Canada after 1812 closes January 6, 2013.

“We are delighted that anyone across Canada and around the world can now enjoy this fascinating and thought-provoking portrait of the War of 1812,” said James Whitham, Director General of the Canadian War Museum. “By learning about the motivations, aspirations and experiences of the four main participants, museum-goers as well as online visitors gain a richer, deeper understanding of this historical conflict that helped shape Canada as a nation.”

Supported by National Presenting Sponsor TD Bank Group and National Supporting Sponsor Ancestry.ca, the original, award-winning exhibition at the Canadian War Museum has already been seen by more than 103,000 visitors.

“As the National Presenting Sponsor of 1812, TD is proud to join with the Canadian War Museum to help ensure that the story of this founding battle is shared with communities across Canada.” said John See, Executive Vice President, Wealth Management, TD Bank Group.

The smaller travelling version of 1812 is now fully booked until May 2015 at venues in Ontario, New Brunswick, Manitoba. Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan. It will engage visitors withclose to 30 artifacts; high-realism mannequins, ship and battlefield models, portrait images, landscapes, battle scenes and maps representing different perspectives on the war.

In addition, a 40 square metre text-and-image only version of the exhibition is currently touring various venues in Canada and the United States. It has already been presented at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C., the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Harvard University in Boston, the Penetanguishene Centennial Museum & Archives in Penetanguishene, Ontario and at various national historic sites across the province of Quebec.

The 1812virtual exhibition, like the physical version, presents the War of 1812 from four distinct perspectives—American, British, Canadian (including Canadian First Peoples), and Native American. The conflict had surprisingly different meanings and consequences for its participants. By contrasting these points of view, the exhibition offers a nuanced perspective of this pivotal period in Canadian history.

Illustrated with dramatic images, works of art and artifacts, the virtual exhibition goes further in developing the concept of historical perspectives by inviting site visitors to share their own views through surveys and interactive modules. The experience will enhance their understanding and enrich their point of view on history at large.

The virtual exhibition can be found at warmuseum.ca/war-of-1812.

A complete list of all the upcoming locations and dates for the travelling exhibitions is provided in the attached backgrounder.

The Canadian War Museum is Canada’s national museum of military history. Its mission is to promote public understanding of Canada’s military history in its personal, national, and international dimensions.